Manama, Bahrain: The two-day Olympic Solidarity/Olympic Council of Asia Regional Forum came to a close on Thursday at the Regency Intercontinental Hotel in Manama, Bahrain. The forum was attended by representatives of three Games organising committees, who presented detailed information on three major Games to be held in 2014. They are the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, Korea, in September-October, the 2nd Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, in August and the 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket, Thailand, in November.

After a minute of silence for victims of the Korean ferry tragedy, the Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee's NOC Services Manager, Cho Sungsik, made the first presentation in which he gave detailed updates on the Games, including accreditation, sports entries, arrival and departure, accommodation, transportation and protocol.

The Sports Authority of Thailand’s International Cooperation Division director, Nittaya Kerdjuntuk, spoke about her nation’s preparations to host the 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket. Nittaya said 43 NOCs and nearly 3,700 athletes had submitted their entries to the organizing committee, noting that the last date for accepting registration by number is June 30, while registration by name will be open until August 31.

Other points highlighted by Nittaya were the inclusion of three new sports – ju-jitsu, squash and sambo wrestling – to the sports programme of the games, as well as the availability of medical services and doping control at the Games village.

The third and last presentation was for the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games by the organising committee’s International Relations Department deputy director Tong Xiaojia.

It included the chef de mission seminar, which took place from March 26 to 28, when 266 representatives of 198 NOCs and 22 ICC officials shared their comments and suggestions.

Addressing the NOC delegates at the end of the two-day forum, the Manager of the OCA’s Asian Games department, Haider Farman, said: “We would like the delegations to double check the eligibility of their athletes before signing them up for the Games. Athletes holding passports from other countries will not be able to take part."

Mr Farman also urged the NOCs not to register for the team sports draw unless they are sure of taking part in any particular sport, or financial and administrative penalties will be imposed.